Championship trio line up for Manchester City transfer battle over £10 million defender | OneFootball

A trio of Championship clubs look set for battle in the transfer market over one of Manchester City’s prized Academy graduates, according to new reports.

Despite entering his fourth senior season on loan last year, Callum Doyle remains one of the most highly-rated defensive talents to have come through Manchester City’s youth setup in recent years.

Now, after successive temporary moves away from the Etihad Stadium into the Football League, the 21-year-old appears to be edging closer to a permanent departure with several Championship heavyweights circling.

The 2024/25 season saw Doyle spend the full campaign with Norwich City, racking up consistent appearances in a side that fell short in the promotion race to secure Premier League football at Carrow Road.

The England youth international, who has also previously featured for Coventry City and Sunderland, spoke glowingly about his time with the Canaries towards the end of the season, and hinted strongly at his next step being a permanent home.

“I think a permanent move is the next aim for me. It’s my fourth loan now, and I’ve been all over the country,” Doyle admitted. “I’ve got nothing to say bad about this club [Norwich City]. I love it. I’ve loved playing here and at Carrow Road… it just depends on what happens in the summer, to be honest.”

Now, according to the information of SportsBoom, Callum Doyle is wanted by former loan club Leicester City as well as Sheffield United, while his temporary side of last season Norwich City are also said to be lining up a bid.

It is detailed that Doyle is valued at between £8 million to £10 million, with Manchester City having already rejected a £6.5 million bid for their latest prized academy graduate back in June, with a number of other clubs having expressed an interest.

The growing number of interested clubs reflects both Doyle’s pedigree and the general consensus that he is now ready to become a permanent fixture within a first-team setup. Manchester City are open to a sale, provided any offer reflects his development and consistent Championship-level exposure.

Doyle’s previous loan clubs have all benefited from his composed left-footed distribution and positional maturity beyond his years. That profile has long made him an attractive option for Championship and lower-end Premier League clubs, and City are likely to push for a sale package that includes a buy-back or sell-on clause.

The competition for Doyle’s signature comes as several clubs attempt to rebuild and solidify promotion pushes ahead of the new season. Sheffield United and Leicester City both view Doyle as a long-term asset who could develop within their systems. Norwich, meanwhile, would relish a return after Doyle became a trusted figure in their backline throughout 2024/25.

Should an agreement be reached, Manchester City would be parting with yet another of their promising defensive prospects, continuing a wider trend this summer following the loan exit of Vitor Reis to Girona. While City maintain vast central defensive depth at senior level, there remains a growing willingness to trim their wider squad.